National Republican., 1887-11-18


been coming In quite frequently to the
Office of the REPUBLICAN that the smaller
florists in the city were suffering from a
competition that had no legal or moral
right to exist. The matter was placed in
the hands of reporter, with Instructions
to fully investigate and report.
Some Of the moro prominent houses did
not care to say any thing about the charges,
hut one was found at last where the pro-
prletor talked freely Of the evils resulting
from pittlng the free labor Of the reform
school against the efforts Of the men who
grew flowers for sale either on the markets
or TO the more extensive retail dealers.
Said he: "The whole thing is manifestly
unfair. Competition is almost impossible
for the reason that no man who has to raise
bie plants can afford to buy pots for the
prices at which the reform school sells pots
and plants together. Here, few days ago,
florist In this city made big spread on
his stock, and his windows were continually
darkened by the crowds that gazed on the
beautiful display. Chrysanthemums formed
no small part OF the show; in fact, it was
really an exhibition OF chrysanthemums.
People said: what splendid displayl and,
after feasting their eyes, walked on, never
imagining for moment that the flowers had
been raised by any one other than the man
In whose windows they were exposed.n
"Dldn't he raise themY" interrupted the
reporter.
form school authorities, aud, in that con-
nection, let me tell you how such dealing
works to the bona ilde growers disadvan-
tage. The florist who made the exhibit had
been dickeriDg for some time with firm OF
growers, who do business with the trade,
for a quantity OF chrysantbemums with the
result that he had agreed to purchase sew
aral hnnHraI a1 nlapta Mt tho rate Df
$40 per hundred. Learning, however, that
the reform school had greenhouse full, he
made overtures for the purchase OF all they
bad, and secured for $40 the entire stock,
consisting Of 500 good plants in either six
or eight-inch pots.n
"Bed rock price, eh 2"
"Well, should say II was. Why, the
pots alone were worth from $50 to $35,
Suppose they were worth only $50, aud
that's below the figure, II would only leave
$40 to pay for the raising OF the plants and
for hauling them into the city. The plants
each. There seems to be no valid reason
why the reform school authorities should
not get as good price for their products
as private individuals do"
Several Of the growers who do little be-
side flower raising for the more pretentlous
were unanimous in their condemnation Of
the manner in which the reform school
authorities disposed OF their plants.
ave can't compete with them" said
one, ''they have an appropriation that In
sures them all they need, and they should
never the intention Of Congress to establish
business that should undercut private
citizens who were trying to make an honest
living. They say that So 500 has been spent
on new dollhouse at the school during the
past year. Well, II they want to train
they have no right to grind US down to star
walton rates to crafty q small personal am
btion. Congress would take care OF that
school II there was never dollar received
for anything they raise on the grounds. II
they must sell, then let them act squarely
and sell their goods at the regular market
prices"
81 have suffered" said another, "from
the cutthroat policy which has been pur.
sued by the folks at the reform school.
had stand near them In the Center market
some time ago, but 1t was impossible fol
me to keep going Plants 1ss that bo Sonit cent
they disposed of at the rate Of two for L
cents. They didn't care what the flower
sold for; all their object seemed to be I,
get rid Of them. / tried a week ago to sci
some plants to several OF the florists In tn,
city, but failed, owing to the peculia
methods Of the reform school folks. The,
had left a number OF plants at various
stores with instructions to sell them To-
anything that could be got. One OF thos
storekeepers told me that 1t was all tn,
same whether he got 5 cents or 81 each; tn
order was to SELL We cannot compete Will
such business as that" =,
"Of course, nobody blames the florists,
said another man with grievance FOR buy
ing as cheaply as possible from any source
but 1t is manlfestly wrong to cut dow
prices to such point that honest citlzen
who pay for the support OF the reform
school are compelled to cry out for relief
It would seem to me to be IN order for th'
reform school ito reform Itself on tha
point. The institution is good one ahd 1t
objects are most praiseworthy, but thinl
the error in this respect Is serious one.'
''Wbat do you think" he continued, 20
dealer who will purchase large numbe
of reform school plants aud then, smil
iDgly, appropriate to himself all the credi
and the compliments :"
The reporter said 1t didn't seem to b
quite fair.
less due the school authorities for raisin
the flowers, and 1t should be given; bu
then, you could hardly expect q man t
humble his professional pride to such a
extent as to acknowledge that he Is II
debted to the boys for his great, but nc
expensive exhibition, for the potted plant
cost him, believe, but cents each.
trust, however, that Congress will do som'
thing toward remedying this trouble"
number OF interested parties said thS
an effort would be made this winter to pr
stop to such competition as had been II
dulged In, and the majority were firm
the belief that the institution had no rigt
to compete under any circumstances wit
private individuals.